“The Intersectionality of Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Substance Abuse” will be presented by David J.H. Garvin, LMSW; Chief Operating Officer, Catholic Social Services of Washtenaw County and Founder, Alternatives to Domestic Aggression, Catholic Social Services of Washtenaw County; and Barbara Niess May, MPA, MSW; Executive Director, SafeHouse Center. Domestic violence/sexual assault offender and survivor alcohol and other drug use/abuse will be central to this discussion. The audience will be provided with a primmer regarding perpetrator tactics, strategies, and core beliefs which hold the perpetrator accountable for abusive/assaultive behaviors while maintaining and promoting survivor safety. The program will help participants to recognize the critical importance of understanding the relationship between domestic violence/sexual assault and alcohol/other drug use/abuse in order to safely and effectively intervene and/or interrupt the perpetrator's behaviors and support the survivor. This program is part of the Dawn Farm Education Series, a FREE, annual education series developed to provide accurate, helpful, hopeful, practical, current information about chemical dependency, recovery, family and related issues; and to dispel the myths, misinformation, secrecy, shame and stigma that prevent chemically dependent individuals and their families from getting help and getting well. The Education Series is designed to help people with alcoholism or other drug addictions to achieve, maintain and strengthen their recovery; assist family members and friends to understand and support recovery in people they care about as well as maintain their own health and well-being; aid professionals and students in various disciplines to work effectively with people with addictions and their families and support their recovery process; and contribute to a community culture supportive of recovery. All programs are free and open to anyone interested. Registration is not required. 1.5 hours of free C.E. approved by NAADAC (National Association for Addiction Professionals) and MCBAP (Michigan Certification Board for Addiction Professionals) is offered for each program. A certificate to document attendance is provided on request. The Education Series is organized by Dawn Farm, a non-profit community of programs providing a continuum of chemical dependency services.

The role of intervention in addressing intimate partner violence has become distorted due to a combination of gender neutral advocates, flawed and misrepresented research and the increasing emphasis on evidence based practice. The result is that legislators and communities are withdrawing support from intervention program and the resurgence of strategies that put victims at risk are being promoted. Programs are increasingly finding themselves under attack and having to respond to questions that that they are not prepared to answer. Batterer Intervention Services Coalition of Michigan (BISC-MI) has taken the lead in the last 20 years of bringing together some of the best faculty from around the world to address controversial issues and provide unequaled networking opportunities. This year is no exception. This conference is an unprecedented opportunity to hear and mingle with some of the leading experts from around the world. A variety of thought provoking plenary sessions will address topics of research, culture, women's use of force and how the field can move forward. Additionally, there will be an assortment of workshops which will offer a smaller group experience to explore topics in depth. This conference is bringing together many of the leaders in the field to discuss how to reclaim the narrative and define the future of batterer intervention programming with an emphasis on cultural sensitivity and victim safety focus. Please see the web site for the agenda, schedule and presenter details.Event dates: April 15, 2015; April 16, 2015; April 17, 2015.Location: Crowne Plaza Hotel, 5700 28th Street SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49546. Discounted room rates available.CE: 20 BIPSCC CEUs - no extra fee. 20 CEUs Social Work applied for - Social Work CEU Fee $40.00Sponsor: Batterer Intervention Services Coalition of Michigan (BISC-MI)Additional sponsors: Michigan Domestic Violence Prevention and Treatment Board (MDVPTB,) Michigan Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence (MCEDSV,) Institute on Domestic Violence in the African American Community (IDVAAC,) National Center on Domestic and Sexual Violence, Family Justice Center Alliance, American Probation and Parole Association (APPA,) Futures Without Violence, American Judges Association, Women of Color Network, Inc., National Resource Center on Domestic Violence (NRCDV,) and National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (NCJFCJ.)Conference web site: http://www.biscmi.org/advancing-the-narrative-inspiring-the-future-3/. On line registration: https://www.regonline.com/Register/Checkin.aspx?EventID=1675677. Cost: Early bird rate: $299.00 members or $399.00 non members (after March 18, 2015 late fee add $50.00) Conference rate includes: Continental breakfast and lunch all 3 days.Discounted room rates at the Crowne Plaza Hotel: $75.00 for a double or a single (If you are calling for reservations, you must mention the BISC-MI Conference to get the reduced rate)Contact information: For information please see the web site or contact BISC-MI at 517-482-3933 or biscmi@biscmi.org.

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